Former Leeds United striker and BBC Radio Leeds summariser, Noel Whelan, believes United full-back Barry Douglas could leave the club next year should he fail to win a place in Marcelo Bielsa's starting XI.

Douglas arrived at Elland Road last summer from Wolverhampton Wanderers and made 26 league appearances for the side last term.

This term, however the 30-year-old has only managed seven league appearances for the side, four of them coming off the bench.

The form of Ezgjan Alioski and Stuart Dallas in the full-back role and even the inclusion of youngster Leif Davis has seen the Scot's chances limited at Elland Road this term.

Speaking to Football Insider on Wednesday, Whelan revealed that he believes Douglas may look to quit the Elland Road club should he fail to win a regular place in the side.

"Third choice left-back is a bit embarrassing for Barry Douglas," Whelan said on Wednesday. "I would say he is the best left-back at the club but he is just not doing it."

Douglas managed an impressive five goals and 14 assists for Wolves during the 2017-2018 campaign and Whelan acknowledges that he has not shown his best during his time at Elland Road.

"We’ve not seen the best of him at Leeds, fans had such high hopes for him on the basis of his performances for Wolves," the 44-year-old told Football Insider.

"It has been stop-start for him at Leeds. He’s been in and out of the side, he’s had some injuries and just hasn’t played well enough when he has played, I can’t see him being at Leeds next year if this continues," Whelan added.

Douglas has not featured for the Whites since a six-minute cameo against Birmingham City in October and it's hard to envisage Marcelo Bielsa recalling the full-back for Saturday's trip to Luton Town.

The Verdict

Whelan makes a very good point in that Douglas has been underwhelming since arriving in LS11.

Many supporters would have had high expectations of the left-back after his impressive campaign for Wolves during their promotion season in 2017-2018.

However, just five assists in 34 appearances for the Whites can be considered pretty underwhelming given his success at Wolves.

At 30-years-old Douglas would be forgiven if he does want to further his career and secure regular first-team football and if that was elsewhere I can't see Douglas hanging around at Elland Road much longer.